Tarzan Koenji, The Precarious Horikita Suzune

The scorching sun hung high in the sky.

Sunlight filtered through the branches into the forest, casting dappled spots across the grass.

At this moment.

Ayanokoji was exploring the woods with Sakura and Koenji.

As for why this particular combination came to be, Ayanokoji could only say that talking about it was nothing but tears.

They were simply the ones left over.

While feeling melancholy, he looked up at Koenji, who was swinging back and forth between several trees ahead, giving him a strong sense of déjà vu, as if he were watching Tarzan.

Is this the kind of physical fitness a normal person can possess?

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

"Hey~ Koenji, it would be better to conserve some energy. It's only the first day of the exam..."

Ayanokoji said toward the position above him.

"A man should have the courage to challenge nature~"

Koenji stopped on a tree trunk and tossed his beautiful hair, "Do not worry. Once I have conquered this island, I will go back to rest."

"..."

"No matter how you look at it, you won't be able to get enough res...t on this island, will you?"

Damn it.

Before Ayanokoji could finish his sentence, he saw Koenji grab a vine and swing elegantly into the distance, leaving only a burst of hearty laughter echoing through the woods.

The laughter grew fainter, and Koenji's figure gradually shrank in Ayanokoji's eyes until he finally leaped out of his field of vision.

He raised an eyebrow slightly, feeling that there was a deeper meaning behind Koenji's words.

Conquer, huh...

Although this island isn't large, it would take at least two days to fully "roam" it.

If you come back in two days, I'm afraid there will only be half of you left.

Wait... come back?

It seems...

He didn't say where he was going back to.

As he pondered this, a voice sounded in his ears a moment later.

"...Sorry, Ayanokoji-kun..."

"Am I holding you both back?"

Sakura, who was behind him, caught up to his side, panting softly from exhaustion.

"Not at all. It's just that Koenji is too willful."

Ayanokoji said calmly, his gaze meeting the girl's eyes directly, causing her to shyly look away for a moment.

"Isn't it too much of a strain?"

"No... it's not. I also hope to do something for the class."

Sakura's face flushed slightly, and she spoke in a soft, sweet voice, with a hint of determination in her words.

Ayanokoji stared at her for a moment, then responded indifferently:

"I see..."

However... Sakura.

Sometimes, being too wishful can actually cause trouble for others.

On a cliffside.

Katsuragi was using binoculars to observe the figures occasionally appearing in the forest.

Behind him was a hidden cave, inside of which were piled large amounts of supplies of unknown origin.

It looked like enough to last them for quite some time.

After a while, a somewhat dull-looking boy walked out of the cave and leaned in to whisper into Katsuragi's ear:

"Katsuragi, someone just violated the rules regarding the base, and we were deducted 50 points..."

As the words reached his ears, Katsuragi's expression became slightly grave, and his brow gradually furrowed.

He slowly shifted his gaze toward the giant cruise ship on the distant beach, and his already mature face grew even more somber.

Sakayanagi, you sly fox...

On the shore where the luxury cruise ship was docked.

Suddenly, several large parasols and beach beds appeared.

On the beach, a group of students set up barbecue grills and began to cook.

They were drenched in sweat, yet overflowing with enthusiasm and vitality, giving off the impression that they intended to burn themselves out before returning to the ship to lounge.

In the shallow water not far in front of the barbecue area, members of Class C were swimming and playing in the water, lost in the moment, with bursts of laughter drifting over.

Every one of them wore a relaxed and happy smile, as if this exam had absolutely nothing to do with them.

Under a parasol, Ryuen was watching the scene before him comfortably, wearing oversized sunglasses on his forehead with a cynical expression on his face.

By the rocks on another part of the shore, Ichinose gazed in the direction from which the laughter came, feeling a sense of suspicion in her heart.

Could it be... that Class C has given up on the exam?

While she was speculating about Ryuen's schemes, a handsome man walked up from behind and spoke:

"Ichinose, I heard that Ryuen and his group spent all their points just now. I wonder what kind of dirty trick he's planning to pull next."

"Eh? Is that so?"

"Then how are they going to survive the next seven days?"

Kanzaki shook his head.

"Looking at them, it seems they intend to spend all their points and just go back to the ship to keep enjoying themselves."

"Ryuen really is a hoodlum."

As Kanzaki spoke, he looked up in the direction of the sound, a look of disdain appearing on his face.

"I don't think he would give up on the exam so easily."

Ichinose said to Kanzaki, her face wearing her usual natural smile.

"Although I don't know what he's thinking, we just need to do our own part. Let's do our best together~"

"Yeah."

Kanzaki nodded silently.

Afterward, Ichinose didn't linger and continued to walk toward the busy crowd to offer help; from the moment they landed on the island until now, the energy she possessed didn't seem to have diminished in the slightest.

Kanzaki stood where he was, staring blankly for a moment at her figure as she bustled about, constantly helping and encouraging her companions...

It seems it's not just today; Ichinose has been shining on those around her ever since school started.

"Everyone, look, the water quality in this stream is very clear, and there are even fish in it. This way, we'll definitely be able to save a huge amount of points!"

Beside a small stream in the dense forest, Ike said excitedly to the rest of Class D.

This stream was something he had discovered while exploring, and there was also a card-swiping device representing a base located next to it.

"Ike, well done."

"Everyone, let's settle down here. There's a device right next to us, so we can occupy this place as our campsite and base."

After praising Ike, Hirata spoke to the group behind him.

"Using it as a base is fine, but is this water really safe to drink... We should probably spend some points to buy bottled water."

A few people said with some concern.

"What are you guys talking about? You can tell just by looking at this water quality that it's drinkable; there's no need to waste those points at all."

"Besides, the food issue can also be solved by catching fish, which will cut down on a huge amount of point expenditure," Ike said to them, unable to understand their hesitation.

However, most people still held a skeptical attitude, their faces filled with unease.

Seeing this, Hirata walked over and patted Ike on the shoulder, saying: "Ike, it's best not to force others too much right now."

"And everyone's stomach is different..."

"How about this: those who feel they can accept it should try to utilize the resources in this stream, and if you really can't accept it, then use a small amount of points to purchase from the school."

Hirata smiled as he mediated for the people around him.

His ability to balance everyone's needs was visibly becoming more proficient, so proficient that even Ayanokoji felt a bit of pity for him.

Hirata, it's too hard for you.

Ayanokoji looked at the crowd around him who were gradually showing smiles as they reached an understanding, then glanced at Ike, who was standing by the stream looking somewhat dejected. After a moment of contemplation, he walked over.

"Ike, are you very skilled at living in the wild?"

Seeing Ayanokoji approach, Ike was slightly startled, then gave an awkward smile and said:

"I often went camping in the wild with my dad since I was a kid, so..." As he spoke, he squatted down, cupped his hands together, and scooped up a stream of water as clear as crystal, "You can tell just by looking whether this kind of water is drinkable or not..."

Ayanokoji watched his somewhat lonely expression and said nothing more.

Or rather, he didn't know what to say.

After all, he only knew how to be annoying, not how to offer comfort.

And the girl sitting under the tree nearby, hugging her knees, should know that better than anyone.

Ayanokoji shifted his gaze toward Horikita.

She was curled up in a patch of shade, arms wrapped around her legs, chin resting on her knees as if trying to fold herself up to stop the shivering.

However, the two flushes on her cheeks—a sight never seen before—completely betrayed the fact that she was in a bad state.

Sigh, Horikita Manabu, I'll let you owe me a little more.

Ayanokoji let out a silent sigh, shoved his hands into his pockets, and walked over to stand in front of Horikita.

Realizing someone was standing before her, Horikita lifted her head slightly, her eyes dull, as if she weren't surprised by the identity of the person.

She wanted to force her heavy, uncontrollable eyelids open, but it felt like a struggle.

After trying and failing, she simply decided to bury her head back down.

But the moment she lowered it an inch, she felt her chin being supported by a warm palm.

The next second, that hand tilted her chin up slightly until her blurry vision took in the full silhouette of the boy before her.

Looking at the boy's indifferent expression, Horikita couldn't guess what he intended to do, only feeling inexplicably... a bit ashamed.

Then, the boy slowly withdrew his other hand from his pocket, as if holding something.

He silently reached out toward Horikita, slowly opened his clenched fist, and said calmly:

"Horikita, it's time to take your medicine."